The Reverend Mark W. Hanna
pastor@RolandParkChurch.org  

In October of 2007, after a lengthy search process, the congregation voted to call the Rev. Mark W. Hanna to be its seventh pastor. He began his ministry with us in February of 2008, and was installed on May 18, 2008. 

Mark received his bachelor’s degree from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania where he majored in religious studies; then he continued his studies at Princeton Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity degree in 2002. Also, in preparation for ministry, Mark served several pastoral internships beginning at his home congregation, Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; then during seminary, at Central Presbyterian Church in Montclair, New Jersey; and finally as a chaplain at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He became Associate Pastor of the Flemington Presbyterian Church in Flemington, New Jersey in 2002.

Describing his own experience as a pastor, Mark writes: “What I value the most are the relationships I have formed along the way. In formal and informal meetings, on rooftops at mission worksites, in parishioner’s homes, and at hospital bedsides, I have been blessed to be invited into the lives and experiences of others. It is an honor to witness how God is at work in their lives. It is a responsibility I cherish when others turn to me for counsel, leadership and prayer. I experience God’s grace in these relationships.”

Central to Mark’s ministry is the belief that the pastoral office is both personal and public. In private conversations, a pastor often represents the larger community of faith. Yet, in public speaking, the challenge is to speak to the individual. Mark’s preaching seeks to be intellectually stimulating and pastorally focused, exploring themes of scripture and life, often looking for the extraordinary in the ordinary, and always seeking to be relevant to the life of the congregation and its members.

A sense of awe and mystery is central to Mark’s theology. While affirming our reformed heritage and tradition, he is not afraid to explore the tough questions and recognizes that doubt and a sense of one’s limits are part of a healthy, vital faith journey. Faith is not about being certain, according to Mark; it is about finding the ability to trust even when certainty is not available.

About the challenge of being the church in the 21st century he writes: “Many in our society view the church as an institution that argues about ideas or beliefs that have little or no application to their daily lives. Many think we are hung up on outdated traditions and only interested in self-preservation. It seems that much of society feels the church has lost touch, and to some extent I think we need to admit that this is true. The challenge for us, as Christ’s disciples, is to show that the faith we claim is not about being secure, proving ourselves right or confirming our view of life. We have an opportunity to show that our faith calls us to take the needs of others seriously and to share the love of God in meaningful and tangible ways. I believe it is our call, our witness and our ministry to participate in the continuing incarnation of God’s love in the world. We do this first and foremost by loving others as Jesus taught us. As a pastor, it is my call to teach, remind, inspire and equip members of the community of faith in sharing the love of God in Jesus Christ. I believe there is nothing more worth our time, our energy, and our resources.”

Mark grew up in Lancaster, PA. He and his wife Michele have two young children, Audrey and Andrew.